Abdul talks ‘Idol,’ dances around rumors

2009-09-01T01:34:03.000Z

Ree Hines

msnbc.com contributor

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The decision to leave “American Idol” wasn’t an easy choice for Paula Abdul, and whether or not it’s a permanent one remains to be seen. In an interview with TV Guide, the former judge tackled the mixed emotions she felt about her fateful farewell.

“You know, to say ‘no regrets’ isn’t easy,” Abdul revealed. “I feel like I have been such a big, huge part of the success of the show from day one. I loved being able to be the artist’s artist; being there from my point of view of knowing what it feels like to be vulnerable and to be out there wanting to achieve the most magical moment in a minute and 30 seconds. To be able to do that was an amazing experience and the show was wonderful for me in that regard.”

But the “Idol” experience wasn’t so wonderful for Abdul when it came to contract negotiations. When her manager and former employers failed to find a figure that could compete with the high-dollar deals Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell were said to secure, Abdul announced her departure from the televised talent show. It was a decision she now puts down to principles, not profits.

“I stand on principle where many people stand on money,” Abdul explained. “I’m a hard-working artist. I’ve lasted in this business for 23 years. And you can’t do that unless you are good at what you do. I believe in myself and you have to have your own self-respect.”

Given all the “bring-Paula-back” buzz, one has to wonder if there’s any chance Abdul could still renegotiate her way to a respectful return to the show. If she knows, she’s not saying.

“That’s a hard question to answer right now,” Abdul told the magazine. “I mean, I don’t think I can answer that right now.”

Paris Jackson keeps her hair after cut When 11-year-old Paris Jackson went to Amp Salon in Las Vegas last weekend, the trip illustrated one of the unusual twists behind routine events for Michael Jackson’s offspring.

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